#5 Cincinnati Bearcats Still Perfect With Win Over #25 Mountaineers

Sports News - November 14th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

In a tough Big East matchup between two top 25 teams, Cincinnati was able to edge out a close win over the West Virginia Mountaineers.

24 to 21 was the final score but the game seemed so much closer. In the end, Cincinnati was finally able to seal the victory by recovering an onside kick with :39 left on the clock. While the Bearcats ended up on top, they had to work hard to get there.

Coming into this game, Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly had a decision to make with his quarterbacks. QB Tony Pike was finally able to take the field again, after missing the last month with a broken forearm, but QB Zach Collaros had been doing an excellent job in Pike's absence.

The answer? Play them both.

Kelly decided to start Collaros but would bring Pike in during red zone possessions. The plan started out well as Cincinnati advanced into the red zone on their first possession. At that time, Pike returned to the field for the first time, throwing a 10 yard touchdown pass.

"You couldn't ask for anything better," Pike said to the Associated Press. "I got a great ovation. You couldn't write a better script, coming in on the first play and throwing a touchdown."

At that point, Cincinnati lead 7 to 0, but that would only last for a little over 6 minutes.

West Virginia came down the field and scored on an 8 yard run by QB Jarrett Brown. The score tied the game at 7 to 7 with 3:19 to go in the first quarter.

A little over 7 game minutes later, West Virginia was scoring again, this time on a 37 yard TD run by RB Ryan Clarke. West Virginia now lead the game 14 to 7, with 8:05 to play in the half.

Like Cincinnati's early lead, West Virginia's lead would not last long. After the ensuing kick off, and a 60 yard return, the Bearcats came right down the field lead by QB Zach Collaros. Collaros was involved on every play of the 6 play drive, except for the 2 yard touchdown run by RB Isiah Pead. Collaros' run on 2nd and 11 at WVU 15 was good for 13 yards, taking the Bearcats to the 2 yard line before the game tying score.

Cincinnati would hold on the next defensive possession, but would give the ball back on a Zach Collaros interception on a deep ball. The interception happened with just over a minute to go. Because of that, the game would go to halftime tied at 14 to 14.

To start the second half, Cincinnati would have the ball. Starting from their 36 yard line, Isiah Pead and Zach Collaros lead Cincinnati down the field until Tony Pike would re enter the game.

After a Collaros 26 yard pass down to the 6 yard line, Brian Kelly sent Pike back into the game. With incompletions on first and second down, Pike stepped back and connected on a 6 yard TD pass to D.J. Woods. The completion was Pike's second of the game along with his second touchdown pass. Pike would finish with 16 yards passing on 2 of 4 passes.

The Cincinnati defense came out with equal fire as the offense had in the third quarter. Despite a 6 play and a 9 play drive, West Virginia was unable to capitalize with any points, and the 3rd quarter would end at 21 to 14.

In the 4th quarter, drives from both teams would stall, including a 13 play, 6 minute drive for West Virginia which ended on downs at the Cincinnati 28.

On the following possession, Cincinnati would move the ball down to the WVU 21 before kicking a 38 yard field goal to make it a two possession game. Cincinnati now led 24 to 14.

The field goal would prove to be the game winner, as West Virginia would score on their next possession, but would not be able to recover the onside kick.

The game ended at 24 to 21 with Cincinnati's perfect season still alive.

QB Zach Collaros ended up with 205 yards passing on 17 of 24 completions. Collaros has 1 interception and no touchdowns. Cincinnati's leading performer was RB Isiah Pead who rushed 18 times for 175 yards and 1 touchdown.

Though Cincinnati was favored by 9, at BetUS Sportsbook, and lost against the spread in the College Football Betting Lines, the Bearcats won the game which is all that matters this time of year.

Cincinnati takes a week off before playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 27th, 2009.

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